Fact checks: from across the internet
Ukraine Fact Check presents fact checks on Ukraine in two different ways. Our team works to:
1. index and tag existing fact-check articles from reputable sources from across the internet;
2. compile and publish original fact check articles, based our team’s own research into a subject.
Below, you can find the fact-check articles published by other websites across the internet.
Disclaimer: Ukraine Fact Check was not involved in producing the articles listed below. The information presented in them may be incorrect, incomplete, or misleading. As with any other type of article, read with a critical eye, check sources, and seek other opinions before making up your mind on important topics.
Old video shared as recent footage of Ukrainian troops ‘surrendering’ in Kursk
What was claimed: A video shows Ukrainian troops surrendering in the Kursk region on 11 March 2025.
Our verdict: The clip predates this and has been shared online since at least April 2022.
No, Russia Has Not Surrounded Thousands Of Ukrainian Troops In Kursk
“I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared,” Trump wrote.
But there aren’t thousands of Ukrainian troops in Kursk any longer. They left days ago, despite what Putin may claim. “It’s wise to rely on intelligence,” Tatarigami advised, “not Putin’s word.”
InfoWars reporter Jamie White, who was fatally shot, was not on Ukrainian enemies list
After InfoWars reporter Jamie White was fatally shot March 10 in Austin, Texas, police said they believe the suspects were burglarizing White’s car when White interrupted them.
White is not on a Ukrainian enemies list. In June 2024, Texty.org.ua, an independent Ukrainian media outlet, shared online a list of research subjects as part of its analysis of rhetoric opposing Ukrainian aid. White was among the people whose statements were analyzed.
Texty did not refer to White as an “enemy” of Ukraine, nor did the outlet call for him to be harmed or killed.
Fact Check: Marco Rubio interview altered to show him threaten Ukraine’s Starlink access
VERDICT: False. CNN did not publish a video of Marco Rubio saying he would convince Elon Musk to end Ukraine’s access to Starlink. Rubio has said there was no such threat.
Trump falsely claimed US spent $350B on military aid to Ukraine
Claim: As of February 2025, the United States had given $350 billion in military aid to Ukraine for its war with Russia.
Rating: False.
Context
It’s possible to arrive at varying totals depending on how military aid is defined or by considering how much money was allocated – as opposed to actually paid out – by the U.S. government, but none of these totals amounts to $350 billion
Fact Check: Video Of Putin Speaking About Russian Terms For Ceasefire Is NOT From 2025
Did a video circulating on social media show Russian President Vladimir Putin making a public statement about Russia’s terms for a ceasefire in Ukraine in March 2025? No, that’s not true: The clip had been online for nine months. It showed Putin’s remarks from June 2024.
Video Does Not Show Jews Celebrating the Establishment of a Jewish State in Ukraine
A video went viral on X claiming to show Jews in Amsterdam celebrating the establishment of a new Jewish state in Ukraine.
Misbar investigated the viral claim and found it to be misleading; the video is unrelated to Ukraine and was recorded in 2016 in Alkmaar, not Amsterdam.
Through reverse image search, Misbar’s team found that the video shows Maccabi supporters celebrating in Alkmaar, Netherlands. The full video could be found on a YouTube channel called “Maccabi Fanatics.”
Fake: InfoWars Journalist Murdered Shortly After Ukraine ‘Put Him On Their Kill List’
The journalist was not on Ukraine’s so-called kill list or in the Myrotvorets database. His sister and local police believe that his death was unrelated to his journalistic activities. […]
Ultra-right-wing and conspiracy-minded InfoWars journalist Jamie White was indeed murdered in Austin on the evening of March 9, on his way home from work. And in June 2024, he claimed on his X account that he had been added to a “list of enemies of Ukraine” but he provided no links or evidence that this list existed. Russian propagandists assumed he was referring to Myrotvorets, but White’s name does not appear in that database. Moreover, Myrotvorets is not funded by the U.S. State Department or USAID and is not a “kill list.” It catalogs individuals deemed a threat to Ukraine’s national security and operates through crowdfunding. Moreover, the screenshot White posted of the alleged “list” does not match the actual appearance of the Myrotvorets website. There is no evidence that Jamie White was on any “list of enemies of Ukraine” – and it is doubtful that such a list even exists.
Old video of Ukraine soldiers surrendering in Mariupol shared as recent
The Verdict: Misleading.
According to reports, the video actually shows Ukrainian servicemen surrendering in Mariupol in 2022.
Trump’s ‘Temu Zelenskiy’ taunt is an AI deepfake
WHAT WAS CLAIMED
A video shows Donald Trump calling Ukraine’s leader “Temu Zelenskiy” for not wearing a suit.
OUR VERDICT
The video is an AI deepfake from a self-described parody account.
A compilation video of Zelenskyy dancing includes clips that aren’t of him
What was claimed
A compilation video shows five clips of the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy dancing.
Our verdict
The first clip actually shows Argentinian dancer Pablo Acosta, while the second has been manipulated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to superimpose President Zelenskyy’s face onto the dancer’s to create a deepfake. The other clips are genuine, however.
Fact Check: Nate Vance, Who Criticized Trump’s Ukraine Policy, IS Vice President JD Vance’s Cousin
Is Nate Vance — who criticized the Trump administration’s reduction of support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion — Vice President JD Vance’s cousin? Yes, that’s true: Nate Vance is the first cousin of JD Vance. His father, Jim Vance, is the brother of JD Vance’s mother, Beverly. Nate Vance detailed the family connection on social media, and online records show their family connections.
Yes, Vice President JD Vance’s cousin Nate fought in Ukraine for three years
Claim: U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s cousin Nate Vance fought in Ukraine for three years during its war with Russia.
Rating: True
Warren Buffett did not send more than $500M to Ukraine – but his son did
Claim: Warren Buffett has given more than $500 million to Ukraine.
Context: Howard Buffett, Warren Buffett’s son, donated more than $800 million to Ukraine since 2022, through his own foundation.
FACT CHECK: Video Showing Ukrainian Troops Surrendering Is From 2022, Not 2025
A post shared on X claims to show Ukrainian troops surrendering in Kursk in 2025.
Verdict: Misleading
This video is from 2022 and shows Ukrainian troops surrendering in Mariupol, not Kursk.
FACT CHECK: Exchange between U.S. defense official and journalist on Ukraine-Russia FAKE
WHAT WAS CLAIMED: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and a journalist had an exchange about the impending peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
OUR VERDICT: Fake: No such exchange on diplomacy and Russia’s concessions took place between Hegseth and a reporter in a press briefing after a NATO defense ministers’ meeting on Feb. 13.
What to know about Trump administration’s reported plans to revoke legal status for Ukrainians in US
Agencies have paused humanitarian parole programs, including for Ukrainians in the U.S., following a Trump executive order on Jan. 20.
Fake: Zelensky Acquires One of France’s Largest Private Equity Banks
The TV station that reported the news does not exist. The bank’s management recently stated that it is not considering a sale.
Audio of BBC reporter making snide comment about the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting is fake
A BBC reporter wasn’t caught on tape cursing about the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting. We rate that claim Pants on Fire!
Viral clip shows filming of a music video, not Ukrainian soldiers ‘faking combat’ to secure US funds
What was claimed:
Clips show Ukrainian soldiers faking combat to appear “war torn” in order to receive US funds.
Our verdict:
The clips actually show behind-the-scenes footage from a music video about the Ukraine war.